Thinking about feeding LIVE? Welcome to the Live Pile

[Katie M]

Originally Posted by Edbean

Yes... actual photos of an OVERexaggerated snake injury. None of the pictures you have shown have been a bite from a live feeding of a properly sized animal that was watched while it was being food. I could take an actual picture of a dog that was in a dog fight and say that dog owners who keep their dogs with other dogs are bad owners too. Like I said, im done with this thread so stop bringing up my name.

you're right... it wasn't watched. my assumption would be that the snake had never "refused" a meal before. again, I assume they dropped the rat in, the bp showed enough interest to make the owner assured the rat would be eaten, and left it at that... they must have been sop confident in such a way that they failed to check for the live rat for 2 days... so... while you may not see this as such a "typical scenario" - I fear it is far more common than you try and play it off to be. as far as your name goes... you've given me a lot of stuff to discuss, and I apologize, but I will not leave your name out, as I need to "quote" properly, and give "credit" where it is due

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

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[SUAD]

98% of the time, I won't feed live to my animals. As for the assumption by some that bites are rare, I understand what you're trying to say, but they're more frequent than you think. And definitely more frequent if you have larger collections like many of us do. The only time I use(d) live prey is if it's a pinky/fuzzy for a baby snake when I run out of frozen, or if it's an animal that I absolutely, positively CANNOT get to eat f/t -and this is VERY rare, though it does happen. I also, from time to time, fed my venomous live back when I had them, for very obvious reasons in that physical contact is minimal in their killing method. I don't necessarily demonize those who feed live, particularly if you are paying very close attention, but I don't recommend feeding live either. Owners of snakes that use large live prey (rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, bears, whales, etc) should NEVER EVER EVER feed live. I had a beautiful albino burmese python (my first) when I was much younger and she not only had some brutal scars on her back from my naivete, but also had her tongue bitten off. This led to a host of feeding problems for the rest of the time I owned her, and is certainly something to think about.

And really- how hard is it to knock the living crap out of the rat (usually on a weight or large stone) before putting it in with the snake? This also works out well if you are someone who has bloodthirsty tendencies anyways (which is probably why you like watching live feeding) in getting to bash the rat yourself. It only takes a second and it spares your snake injuries. Sounds like a win all around to me.

I do have to agree though, that when snakes get chewed up horribly: it's 100% the owners fault for not watching their snake. Even in a scenario where a snake will be bitten in a defensive gesture by a prey item, a single bite is nowhere near what 50 are.

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	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[John]

Originally Posted by Edbean

yeah out of the 400000000000000000 snake owners who feed live, you found SEVERAL accounts on google search.

I was only referring to the first page that came up. On page 1 of the search were several accounts.

Somehow I think the number 400000000000000000 is over exaggerated.

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[SUAD]

I have this intuitive notion that logic will not be playing a role here, Jim.

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[Hairless]

Originally Posted by Edbean

No... But sweet job taking what I said out of context. I have a bp I feed large mice. Never had a problem. Obviously if you're talking about feeding huge animals like large rats then yes. But these are wild animals that have been doing this for millions of years.
And ya I've been bit so thanks for the suggestion.
/rant

Originally Posted by Edbean

No mort, not a troll. I joined this site for good info for my new baby and it seems like a good community.
I was, however, voicing my opinion and only said that it seems like you guys are saying that live feeding WILL 110% result in your snake being mortally wounded to the degree of the pics you're posting. Show pics of one small bite or something that can hapen frequently and talk about how its stupid, don't show me a picture of a snake that was left with a rat for 2 days and cut with a chainsaw and thrown out a window and then associate people like me with people like that.
Like I said, I wasn't criticizing anyone or your opinions... Just saying it seems like the opinions you are sharing are the complete opposite of someone who cares and watches there animal and those who blatently don't give a crap.
I'm done with this thread as it appears I'm not being clear or you're not following what I'm saying.
bye

Originally Posted by Edbean

Yes... actual photos of an OVERexaggerated snake injury. None of the pictures you have shown have been a bite from a live feeding of a properly sized animal that was watched while it was being food. I could take an actual picture of a dog that was in a dog fight and say that dog owners who keep their dogs with other dogs are bad owners too. Like I said, im done with this thread so stop bringing up my name.

There never is a problem until it happens...everything always works, right up until it the first time it doesn't work.
You can supervise all you want and you will be there to prevent 'chewing' (OVERexaggerated damage) but, you are NOT fast enough to prevent the first bite.

Originally Posted by _Venom_

Yeah so?
Most of the time they eat live food and do get bitten once in a while.
Very rarely do they get those overexaggerated wounds shown in the first pics for shock.

Originally Posted by _Venom_

I never said I fed live.
Just that the chances of somethng like that happening are very slim.
It gets annoying when people don't even let new people breathe if they don't feed F/T.
They don't get bitten every single time.
It's not set in stone how you should feed your snakes.
I've had snakes strike the glass and get injured when feeding F/T...
Should I stop feeding them F/T?

Interesting justification(s) ^ , but it does boil it down to this: Some people are willing to accept one bite and are willing to take the risk because they think the risk is low, they don't get bit every time, it happens in nature, the damage will be slight, etc. Others prefer to remove the risk...

What exactly, is being gained with the risk?

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Sakara]

to me a "slim" chance isn't worth it... just say a live feeding results in a 1 in 100 or even 1 in 500 chance... Ok... so I have over 20 snakes... That's WAY too close odds for me.... that means every what? 5th or 6th feeding someone will get bit? Maybe more? But still... ANY chance is TOO MUCH of a chance...

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[_Venom_]

Originally Posted by Hairless

What exactly, is being gained with the risk?

Convenience.

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[Rachel SS]

Originally Posted by _Venom_

Convenience.

ROFL dude you have the worst reasoning i've ever heard. It's not hard to find a reptile shop that sells frozen. And if you can't, there are tons of sites that do frozen feeders. If you can't leave it on your counter to thaw while you're at work, come home, get it warmed up, and feed your snake then I will TRY to feel sorry for you.

I don't want to overexaggerate and say i'll actually feel sorry for you. I DO feel sorry for any animals in your care that are put in harm's way just because you're lazy.

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[Ophiophilia]

It makes me a sad panda to know that people choose convenience over their pet's health. ):

And how is it convenient to feed live instead of dead? Maybe I missed something.

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[Byron]

Its more convenient for me to have rodent pro drop a box of frodents off at my door every few months than it is for me to drive across town once a week or to keep live mice on hand for feeding day.

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[SUAD]

Originally Posted by _Venom_

Convenience.

If convenience is what you want, might I suggest exchanging snakes for a pet rock?

[TalismanK9]

Originally Posted by _Venom_

Convenience.

And that brings us to the ultimate reason why 99&9/10% of the people who feed live...feed live, PURE LAZINESS and no other reason but that! If they'd just take some of their "precious"<-sarcasm- time and work with their animal they'd find that they can be converted to F/T. Oh and the other 1/10% are just sadistic SOB's who get their "kicks" seeing one animal kill another. The above statements are just my opinions.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Sakara]

I'd change those %'s just a little. due to the fact that some ppl don't realize they can get frozen. I know I didn't until I joined this site. when I did feed live my snake was on little fuzzies and stuff. thankfully
I found out about frozen thawed or at least wacked the rats first before they got to any decent size rodents O.O

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[TalismanK9]

Originally Posted by Sakara

I'd change those %'s just a little. due to the fact that some ppl don't realize they can get frozen. I know I didn't until I joined this site. when I did feed live my snake was on little fuzzies and stuff. thankfully
I found out about frozen thawed or at least wacked the rats first before they got to any decent size rodents O.O

My bad, when I posted those %(percentages) I should of grouped F/T & P/K(pre-kill) together VS live as in a fully functioning feeder. Plus it was aimed at those that know about P/K & F/T and say that "they'll only eat live". I myself feed P/K more then F/T but thats because I'm in the store 4 to 5 days a week and have access to a unlimited supply of guinea pigs, rats, and all other rodents.

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	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[_Venom_]

Originally Posted by SUAD

If convenience is what you want, might I suggest exchanging snakes for a pet rock?

Ummm.... no.

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[_Venom_]

Originally Posted by TalismanK9

And that brings us to the ultimate reason why 99&9/10% of the people who feed live...feed live, PURE LAZINESS and no other reason but that! If they'd just take some of their "precious"<-sarcasm- time and work with their animal they'd find that they can be converted to F/T. Oh and the other 1/10% are just sadistic SOB's who get their "kicks" seeing one animal kill another. The above statements are just my opinions.

I guess that's why people stick snakes in tubs and not create a marvelous enclosure for each.

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Rachel SS]

Originally Posted by _Venom_

I guess that's why people stick snakes in tubs and not create a marvelous enclosure for each.

humidity is easier to maintain in plastic than in glass.

They stack, glass does not. They're light, glass is heavy. Glass tanks stress snakes out more by having four open sides the snake can see out of. Plastic has one. The top.

Anymore crap you'd like to post we can refute, or are you ready to throw in the towel?

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[John]

Originally Posted by _Venom_

I guess that's why people stick snakes in tubs and not create a marvelous enclosure for each.

This is really going off topic now.

Contrary to your misconceptions, many people use tubs for the same reason they feed their animals f/t: It's in the animals best interest.

Back on topic...

	Geek Auto Linker or Gallon Geek Auto Linker Gallon - United States liquid unit equal to 4 quarts or 3.785 liters

	Frozen/Thawed A rodent or other prey item that is frozen and then thawed to be fed to a reptile or other animal.

[Rachel SS]

SMELLS LIKE WE'RE ALL GETTING TROlLED keke

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[_Venom_]

Oh God.. I hate it when someone is labeled a troll when they have opposing views.

I won't return to this thread then.
Don't want to get an infraction for being a "troll"

Bye.

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